2008 CHAMPIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY AWARDSAwards celebrate organizations that improve the Berkeley's environmental health, economic vitality, and quality of life

Berkeley, California (Wednesday, September 24, 2008) - The Champions of Sustainability Awards celebrate organizations that improve the Berkeley community's environmental health, economic vitality, and quality of life for all.

This year the Ecology Center's Sustainability Summit and the City of Berkeley's Green Gathering are joining forces. Together, along with the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, the Sustainable Business Alliance and the UC Berkeley Office of Sustainability, we are seeking nominations for the 2008 Champions of Sustainability Awards.

Nominations are being sought in the following three categories:

1. Innovating Sustainability Award: For a business, nonprofit, community group, agency, or institution that has pioneered an innovative approach to addressing sustainability challenges or launched inventive initiatives that have forwarded community sustainability goals.

2. Modeling Sustainability Award: For a business, nonprofit, community group, agency, or institution that has launched an initiative that can serve as a model for others and has potential for replication in other communities or organizations.

3. Expanding Sustainability Award: For a business, nonprofit, community group, agency, or institution that has involved new people, customers, constituents, institutions, and stakeholders in the sustainability conversation or has expanded the sustainability movement to include new players as decision-makers, clients, employees, or trainees.

Deadline: Deadline for nominations is October 6, 2008. Applications must be sent in electronic form to awards@ecologycenter.org.

Judging: A panel of judges named by the sponsors will consist of peers from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The names of the judges will be released after the winners are determined.

Nominations will be evaluated on their demonstrated accomplishments in advancing community sustainability goals including but not limited to:

Zero Waste

Social Equity

Green Purchasing

Green Job Creation

Open Space/Creeks

Toxics Reduction

Climate Protection

Green Building

Sustainable Food Systems

Awards Ceremony - Awards will be presented at a reception on the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the Berkeley Sustainability Summit and Green Gathering. This event, to be held at the Bancroft Hotel, will celebrate our community's progress towards sustainability. More than 150 business, government, community, and education leaders, as well as local media representatives will attend.

Eligibility: Nominations of may include Berkeley businesses, institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups for work or activities that take place in Berkeley. Individuals and groups are encouraged to self-nominate.